California’s New Accountability Model & School Dashboard Debuts First Official Results

California’s New Accountability Model & School Dashboard Debuts First Official Results

Posted on 12/07/2017

California has launched a new website designed to help communities across the state access important information about K-12 districts and schools.

Fast Facts about the California School Dashboard
- The California School Dashboard features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English learner progress and suspension rates.
- The Dashboard is part of California’s new school accountability system based on 2013’s Local Control Funding Formula.
- It is the next step in a series of major shifts in public education that have raised the bar for student learning, transformed testing and placed the focus on equity for all students.
- As an accountability tool, the Dashboard will help the state identify schools and districts needing targeted assistance.

Where does BOUSD rank on the Dashboard?
BOUSD students performed well on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Many of the elementary schools experienced growth or maintained their status in ELA and Mathematics. The secondary schools also performed well, experiencing increases within certain subgroups. The Brea Olinda School District is working to support students in both ELA and math to continue the growth in both areas. BOUSD also experienced a low Chronic Absenteeism rate of 7.5% as compared to the state average of 10.8% and the county average of 8.3%. BOUSD continues to have one of the highest graduation rates at 97.7% The District will continue to address the needs of the subgroups to increase the growth in each of the areas measured by the California Dashboard.

Why a new system and a new tool?
California is committed to informing communities about how well our schools are doing. California’s future success depends on tapping into the potential of all students, so they graduate ready for college, careers and life. For schools to reach this goal, teachers, parents and the community need clear and useful measures of progress.

What’s different?
In the past, accountability systems for districts and schools relied heavily on test scores. But one test taken on one particular day doesn’t provide a complete picture of all the ways schools are helping students succeed.

Think of it this way: You can’t drive a car by only watching the speedometer. You also keep your eye on the road, check the mirrors, monitor the gas tank and pay attention if the engine light comes on. Similarly, the Dashboard provides information on different aspects of student performance, which will give a more complete picture of a school’s progress. The Dashboard also reports on growth to show a school’s trajectory over time.

What’s next?
This January, the new California Statewide System of Support for districts and schools gets underway. Districts and schools will have access to state support and opportunities to work with education leaders on new and better ways to improve teaching and learning. While schools are making progress in many key areas there is always more work to do. Meeting goals will take a united effort, and I look forward to working with our families to ensure success for every student.